Multifamily or Rental Property - how to find most desirable area?

[Tim Dastis]

My wife and I are in the market after selling our home and we really want to purchase an investment property.  We like the idea of doing an owner-occupied duplex/triplex for 1-3 years and then move out and purchase something a little more long term for us, and renting out all the units.  

We live in South Jersey and we don't have much in the way of connections.  I really don't think my selling agent is the right type of agent for what we are looking for.  Either way we are sitting on some cash and will be OK living with family in the short term while squirelling away more cash.  

The biggest issue we are discovering now is that we have no idea where to look for a home.  We both know we would like to be closer to work, but if we are also purchasing something to buy and hold long term we would like it to be in a high-renter area.  We do not know how to find this information and I would like to hear some opinions on this.  Also if you are a good investor's agent or wholeseller I would like to hear from you.  Thanks!